The  Shadowy  Waters 


The  Shadowy  Waters 

y 

/ > 

W;  B.  Yeats 


New  York 

Dodd,  Mead  and  Company 
1901 


BOSTON 


POTT.TfOTC  T.IBRART 

, M \SS. 


Copyright,  1901,  by 
Dodd,  Mead  and  Company 


UNIVERSITY  PRESS  • JOHN  WILSON 
AND  SON  • CAMBRIDGE,  U.  S.  A. 


TO  LADY  GREGORY 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/shadowywaters00yeat_0 


I walked  among  the  seven  woods  of  Coole , 
Shan-walla , where  a willow-bordered  pond 
Gathers  the  wild  duck  from  the  winter  dawn; 
Shady  Kyle-dortha;  sunnier  Kyle-na-gno 
Where  many  hundred  squirrels  are  as  happy 
As  though  they  had  been  hidden  by  green  boughs 
Where  old  age  cannot  find  them ; Pairc-na-lea , 
Where  hazel  and  ash  and  privet  blind  the  paths ; 
Dim  P air c-na-c arraign  where  the  wild  bees  fling 
Their  sudden  fragrances  on  the  green  air ; 

Dim  Pairc-na-tarav , where  enchanted  eyes 
Have  seen  immortal , mild , proud  shadows  walk ; 
Dim  Inchy  wood , that  hides  badger  and  fox 
And  marten-cat , and  borders  that  old  wood 
Wise  Biddy  Early  called  the  wicked  wood : 

Seven  odours , seven  murmurs , seven  woods. 


7 


I had  not  eyes  like  those  enchanted  eyes, 

Tet  dreamed  that  beings  happier  than  men 
Moved  round  me  in  the  shadows,  and  at  night 
My  dreams  were  cloven  by  voices  and  by  fires ; 
And  the  images  I have  woven  in  this  story 
Of  Forgael  and  Dectora  and  the  empty  waters 
Moved  round  me  in  the  voices  and  the  fires ; 

And  more  I may  not  write  of,  for  them  that  cleave 
Fhe  waters  of  sleep  can  make  a chattering  tongue 
Heavy  like  stone,  their  wisdom  being  half  silence. 

How  shall  I name  you,  immortal,  mild,  proud 
shadows  ? 

I only  know  that  all  we  know  comes  from  you. 
And  that  you  come  from  Eden  on  flying  feet. 

Is  Eden  far  away,  or  do  you  hide 

From  human  thought,  as  hares  and  mice  and  coneys 

Fhat  run  before  the  reaping-hook  and  lie 


8 


In  the  last  ridge  of  the  barley  ? Do  our  woods 
And  winds  and  ponds  cover  more  quiet  woods , 
More  shining  winds , more  star-glimmering  ponds? 

Is  Eden  out  of  time  and  out  of  space  ? 

And  do  you  gather  about  us  when  pale  light 
Shining  on  water  and  fallen  among  leaves , 

And  winds  blowing  from  flowers , and  whirr  of 
feathers 

And  the  green  quiet , have  uplifted  the  heart  ? 

I have  made  this  poem  for  you,  that  men  may 
read  it 

Before  they  read  of  Forgael  and  Dectora, 

As  men  in  the  old  times,  before  the  harps  began. 
Poured  out  wine  for  the  high  invisible  ones . 

September  1900 


9 


THE 


SHADOWY  WATERS 


FORGAEL 


AIBRIC 

DECTORA 


SAILORS 


THE  deck  of  a galley.  The  steering-oar , which  comes 
through  the  bulwark , is  to  the  left  hand.  One  looks  along 
the  deck  toward  the  high  forecastle , which  is  partly  hidden 
by  a great  square  sail.  The  sail  is  drawn  in  toward  the 
stern  at  the  left  side , and  is  high  enough  above  the  deck  at 
the  right  side  to  show  a little  of  the  deck  beyond  and  of  the 
forecastle.  Three  rows  of  hounds , the  first  dark , the 
second  red , and  the  third  white  with  red  ears , make  a 
conventional  pattern  upon  the  sail.  The  sea  is  hidden  in 
mist , and  there  is  no  light  except  where  the  moon  makes  a 
brightness  in  the  mist. 

Forgael  is  sleeping  upon  skins  a few  yards  forward  of 
the  steering-oar.  He  has  a silver  lily  embroidered  over  his 
breast.  A small  harp  lies  beside  him.  Aibric  and  two 
sailors  stand  about  the  steering-oar.  One  of  the  sailors  is 
steering. 


THE  HELMSMAN 

His  face  has  never  gladdened  since  he 
came 

Out  of  that  island  where  the  fool  of  the 
wood 

Played  on  his  harp. 


THE  OTHER  SAILOR 


And  I would  be  as  sad 

But  that  the  wind  changed;  for  I followed 
him 

And  heard  the  music  in  the  wind,  and  saw 
A red  hound  running  from  a silver  arrow. 

I drew  my  sword  to  fling  it  in  a pool, — 

I have  forgotten  wherefore. 

THE  HELMSMAN 

The  red  hound 
Was  Forgael’s  courage  that  the  music  killed. 

THE  OTHER  SAILOR 

How  many  moons  have  died  from  the  full 
moon 

When  something  that  was  bearded  like  a goat 


14 


Walked  on  the  waters  and  bid  Forgael  seek 
H is  heart’s  desire  where  the  world  dwindles 


out  ? 

THE  HELMSMAN 

Nine  moons. 

THE  OTHER  SAILOR 

And  from  the  harping  of  the  fool  ? 

THE  HELMSMAN 

Three  moons. 

THE  OTHER  SAILOR 

It  were  best  to  kill  him,  and  choose  out 
Another  leader,  and  turn  home  again. 

THE  HELMSMAN 

I had  killed  him  long  ago,  but  that  the  fool 
Gave  him  his  harp. 

15 


THE  OTHER  SAILOR 


Now  that  he  is  asleep, 

He  cannot  wake  the  god  that  hides  in  it. 

(The  two  sailors  go  nearer  to  Forgael  and 
half  draw  their  swords.) 


AIBRIC 

And  whom  will  you  make  leader  ? Who  will 
make 

A path  among  these  waves  and  weigh  the 
wind  ? 

Not  I,  nor  Maine  there,  nor  Duach’s  son. 

Be  patient  yet  a while ; for  this  ninth  moon, 
Being  the  moon  of  birth,  may  end  our  doubt. 

(Forgael  rises.  The  two  sailors  hurry 
past  him , and  disappear  beyond  the  sail. 
Forgael  takes  the  steering-oar .) 


16 


FORGAEL 


So  these  would  have  killed  Forgael  while  asleep  ' 
Because  a god  has  made  him  wise  with  dreams  ; 
And  you,  my  Aibric,  who  have  been  a King 
And  spoken  in  the  Council,  and  heard  tales 
That  druids  write  on  yew  and  apple  wood, 

Are  doubtful  like  these  pullers  of  the  oar ! 

AIBRIC 

I doubt  your  wisdom,  but  do  not  doubt  my 
love. 

Had  I not  gold  and  silver,  and  enough 
Of  pasture-land  and  plough-land  among  the 
hills  ? 

And  when  you  came,  the  North  under  your 
sails, 

And  praised  your  war  among  the  endless 
seas. 


2 


l7 


Did  I not  follow  with  a score  of  ships  ? 

And  now  they  are  all  gone,  I follow  still. 

FORGAEL 

But  would  turn  home  again. 

AIBRIC 

No  man  had  doubts 
When  we  rowed  north,  singing  above  the  oars, 
And  harried  Alban  towns,  and  overthrew 
The  women-slingers  on  the  Narrow  Bridge, 
And  passed  the  Outer  Hebrides,  and  took 
Armlets  of  gold  or  shields  with  golden  nails 
From  hilly  Lochlann ; but  our  sail  has  passed 
Even  the  wandering  islands  of  the  gods, 

And  hears  the  roar  of  the  streams  where, 
druids  say. 

Time  and  the  world  and  all  things  dwindle  out. 


18 


FORGAEL 


Do  you  remember,  Aibric,  how  you  bore 
A captive  woman  from  the  Narrow  Bridge, 
And,  though  you  loved  her,  gave  her  up  to 
me? 

AIBRIC 

I thought  she  loved  you,  and  I thought  her 
love 

Would  overcome  your  sorrow  and  your  dreams. 
But  you  grew  weary  of  her. 

FORGAEL 

When  I hold 

A woman  in  my  arms,  she  sinks  away 
As  though  the  waters  had  flowed  up  between  ; 
And  yet,  there  is  a love  that  the  gods  give, 
When  Aengus  and  his  Edaine  wake  from 
sleep 


19 


And  gaze  on  one  another  through  our  eyes, 
And  turn  brief  longing  and  deceiving  hope 
And  bodily  tenderness  to  the  soft  fire 
That  shall  burn  time  when  times  have  ebbed 
away. 

The  fool  foretold  me  I would  find  this  love 
Among  those  streams,  or  on  their  cloudy  edge. 


AIBRIC 

No  man  nor  woman  has  loved  otherwise 
Than  in  brief  longing  and  deceiving  hope 
And  bodily  tenderness ; and  he  who  longs 
For  happier  love  but  finds  unhappiness, 

And  falls  among  the  dreams  the  drowsy  gods 
Breathe  on  the  burnished  mirror  of  the  world 
And  then  smooth  out  with  ivory  hands  and 
sigh. 


20 


Forgael,  seek  out  content,  where  other  men 
H ave  found  delight,  in  the  resounding  oars, 
In  day  out-living  battle,  on  the  breast 
Of  some  mild  woman,  or  in  children’s  ways. 


FORGAEL 

The  fool  that  came  out  of  the  wintry  wood 
Taught  me  wise  music,  and  gave  me  this  old 
harp ; 

And  were  all  dreams,  it  would  not  weigh  in  the 
hand. 


AIBRIC 

It  was  a fool  that  gave  it,  and  may  be 
Out  of  mere  wantonness  to  lure  a sail 
Among  the  waters  that  no  pilot  knows. 


21 


FORGAEL 


I have  good  pilots,  Aibric.  When  men  die 
They  are  changed  and  as  grey  birds  fly  out  to 
sea, 

And  I have  heard  them  call  from  wind  to 
wind 

How  ail  that  die  are  borne  about  the  world 
In  the  cold  streams,  and  wake  to  their  desire, 
It  may  be,  before  the  winds  of  birth  have 
waked ; 

Upon  clear  nights  they  leave  the  upper  air 
And  fly  among  the  foam. 

A SAILOR 

{Running  from  the  forecastle ) 

Thrust  down  the  helm, 
For  I have  seen  a ship  hid  in  the  fog. 

Look ! there  she  lies  under  a flapping  sail. 


22 


FORGAEL 


(To  Aibric) 

Give  me  the  helm : call  hither  those  who  lie 
Upon  the  rowers*  benches  underneath, 

And  bid  them  hide  in  shadow  of  the  sail, 

Or  crowd  behind  the  bulwark,  that  we  seem 
A trading  galley  in  her  helmsman’s  eyes. 

(Aibric  goes  toward  the  forecastle .) 

It  may  be  now  that  I can  go  my  way 
And  no  man  kill  me ; for  some  wind  has  blown 
A galley  from  the  Lochlann  seas ; her  flag 
Is  folding  and  unfolding,  and  in  its  folds 
Her  raven  flutters.  Rob  him  of  his  food 
Or  be  his  food,  I follow  the  grey  wings, 

And  need  no  more  of  life  till  the  white  wings 
Of  Aengus’  birds  gleam  in  their  apple  boughs. 

(Two  sailors  come  creeping  along  the  right 
bulwark.) 


23 


THE  FOREMOST  OF  THE  TWO  SAILORS 


It  were  better  to  pass  by,  because  the  gods 
Make  galleys  out  of  wind  that  change  to  wind 
When  one  has  leapt  on  board. 

THE  HINDERMOST  OF  THE  TWO  SAILORS 

No,  for  I have  hope 

Forgael  may  find  his  heart’s  desire  on  board 
And  turn  his  galley  about  and  bring  me  home. 

(Two  more  sailors  come  creeping  along  the 
right  bulwark.) 

THE  FOREMOST  OF  THE  TWO  SAILORS 

I swore  but  yesterday  if  the  Red  God 
Would  end  this  peaceful  life  that  rots  the  bones, 
None  should  escape  my  sword:  I would  send 
all 

To  mind  his  cows  and  swine  by  the  Red  Lake. 


24 


THE  HINDERMOST  OF  THE  TWO  SAILORS 


He  has  heard  me  and  not  you.  Nine  days 
ago 

I promised  him  that  none  should  escape  my 
sword 

But  women  and  jugglers  and  players  on  the 
harp. 

THE  FOREMOST  OF  THE  TWO  SAILORS 

He  has  heard  me  because  I promised  all. 

( There  are  sailors  now  along  the  whole 
bulwark  and  sailors  in  the  shadow  of 
the  sail.) 

FORGAEL 

Bend  lower  lest  your  battle-axes  glimmer. 

The  tide  narrows  between,  and  one  old  man 
Nods  by  the  helm,  and  nearer  to  the  sail 
A woman  lies  among  embroideries. 


25 


Near  by,  but  in  the  shadow  of  the  sail, 

A boy  and  girl  hold  one  another’s  hands ; 

Their  hair  mingles  on  some  stringed  instru- 
ment, 

And  a string  murmurs  as  though  Time  were 
dead 

Or  a god  hid  them  under  the  shadow  of  wings. 
Beyond  the  sail  a man  with  a red  crown 
Leans  on  his  elbows,  gazing  at  the  sea. 

When  you  are  aboard  the  Lochlann  galley, 
lash 

Bulwark  to  bulwark,  and  square  her  sail  by 
ours. 

Now  rush  upon  her  and  find  out  what  prey 
Best  pleases  you. 

(The  sailors  climb  over  the  bulwarks  beyond 
the  sail.  Forgael  is  left  alone.) 

26 


A VOICE  ON  THE  OTHER  SHIP 


Armed  men  have  come  upon  us. 

ANOTHER  VOICE 

Wake  all  below. 

A MORE  DISTANT  VOICE 

Why  have  you  broken  our  sleep  ? 

THE  FIRST  VOICE 

Armed  men  have  come  upon  us.  O ! I am 
slain  ! 

( There  is  a sound  of  fighting?) 

FORGAEL 

A grey  bird  has  flown  by.  He  has  flown  up- 
ward. 

He  hovers  above  the  mast  and  waits  his  kind; 
When  all  gather  they  will  fly  upon  their  way. 


27 


I shall  find  out  if  I have  lost  my  way 
Among  these  misty  waters.  Two!  Now  four! 
Now  four  together  ! I shall  hear  their  words 
If  I go  nearer  to  the  windward  side. 

For  there  are  sudden  voices  in  my  ears. 

( He  goes  to  the  right  bulwark .) 

Two  hover  there  together,  and  one  says, 
c How  light  we  are  now  we  are  changed  to 
birds  ! * 

And  the  other  answers,  ‘ Maybe  we  shall  find 
Our  hearts’  desire  now  that  we  are  so  light.’ 
And  then  one  asks  another  how  he  died, 

And  says,  CA  sword-blade  pierced  me  in  my 
sleep.’ 

And  now  they  all  wheel  suddenly  and  fly 
To  the  other  side  and  higher  in  the  air. 

(He  crosses  over  to  the  other  bulwark .) 

28 


* 


They  are  still  waiting;  and  now  the  laggard 
comes, 

And  she  cries  out,  £ I have  fled  to  my  be- 
loved 

In  the  waste  air.  I will  wander  by  his  side 
Among  the  windy  meadows  of  the  dawn.* 

They  have  flown  away  together.  We  are 
nearly 

A quarter  of  the  heavens  from  our  right  way. 

(He  goes  to  the  steering-oar.  Two  sailors 
come  from  the  other  ship  dragging  a long 
rope , which  they  fasten  to  the  mast.) 

ONE  OF  THE  SAILORS 

But  will  it  hold  while  we  are  emptying  her? 

THE  OTHER  SAILOR 

While  the  wind  is  light. 


29 


FORGAEL 


The  oar  can  hardly  move  her, 
And  I must  lose  more  time  because  these  fools 
Believe  that  gold  and  women  taken  in  war 
Are  better  than  the  woods  where  no  love 
fades 

From  its  first  sighs  and  laughter,  before  the 
sleep, 

Whose  shadow  is  the  sleep  that  comes  with 
love, 

Ends  all  things. 

( More  sailors  have  come  from  the  other  ship. 
One  of  them  carries  a crown  of  gold  and  of 
rubies.  One  of  them  leads  D ector a,  who 
has  a rose  embroidered  over  her  breast .) 

AN  OLD  SAILOR 

I have  slain  the  Lochlann  king. 


3° 


FORGAEL 


You  have  done  well,  because  my  bows  are 
turned 

Towards  a country  where  there  are  no  kings. 

A SAILOR 

( Laying  the  crown  at  Forgael’ s feet) 

I have  brought  his  crown. 

THE  OLD  SAILOR 

And  I have  brought  his  queen. 
I would  have  spared  her  handmaid,  but  she 
caught 

This  blade  out  of  my  hand  and  died  of  a 
sudden. 


ANOTHER  SAILOR 

She  offers  great  rewards  if  we  turn  east 
And  bring  her  to  her  kingdom  and  her  people. 


3 


FORGAEL 


My  way  is  west.  She  seems  both  young  and 
shapely ; 

Give  her  to  Aibric,  if  he  will.  I wait 
For  an  immortal  woman,  as  I think. 

( He  goes  nearer  to  Dectora,  gazing  at  her.) 

THE  OLD  SAILOR 

I left  her  living,  thinking  that  I had  found 
Your  heart’s  desire  and  the  end  of  all  our 
trouble ; 

But  now  I will  kill  her. 

(Forgael  motions  him  away.) 

FORGAEL 

All  comes  to  an  end. 
the  granary  doors  are 


The  harvest’s  in; 
shut ; 


32 


The  topmost  blossom  on  the  boughs  of 
Time 

Has  blossomed,  and  I grow  as  old  as  Time, 
For  I have  all  his  garden  wisdom. 

O speak  ! 

I await  your  words  as  the  blind  grass  awaits 
The  falling  blossoms,  and  the  dead  the  living. 

DECTORA 

I will  swear  by  sun  and  moon  to  pardon  all 
And  to  give  wealth  of  oxen  and  sheep  to  all ; 
And  to  give  you  besides  a hundred  shields, 

A hundred  swords,  a hundred  drinking-bowls. 

A SAILOR 

Cover  your  ears  ; for  once  we  had  moored  our 
galley 

Beside  a Lochlann  wharf,  and  though  she  had 
sworn 


3 


33 


By  sun  and  moon  and  a hundred  gods  as 
well, 

She  would  weave  a net  to  take  us. 

ANOTHER  SAILOR 

She  might  keep  faith  : 
The  gods  hold  watch  about  the  words  of  a 
queen. 

FORGAEL 

H ave  the  winds  blown  you  among  these  empty 
waters  ? 

A SAILOR 

She  will  answer  now  like  any  waiting  woman 
Because  these  waters  make  all  women  one. 

DECTORA 

I and  that  mighty  king  a sudden  blow 

And  evil  fortune  have  overthrown  sailed  hither 


34 


Because  I had  hoped  to  come,  as  dreams  fore- 
told, 

Where  gods  are  brooding  in  a mountainous 
place 

That  murmurs  with  holy  woods,  and  win  their 
help 

To  conquer  among  the  countries  of  the  north. 

I have  found  nothing  but  these  empty  waters  : 

I have  turned  homewards. 

FORGAEL 

In  the  eyes  of  the  gods, 

War-laden  galleys,  and  armies  on  white  roads, 

And  unforgotten  names,  and  the  cold  stars 

That  have  built  all  are  dust  on  a moth’s 
wing. 

These  are  their  lures,  but  they  have  set  their 
hearts 


35 


On  tears  and  laughter ; they  have  lured  you 
hither 

And  lured  me  hither,  that  you  might  be  my 
love. 

Aengus  looks  on  you  when  I look : he  awaits 
Till  his  Edaine,  no  longer  a golden  fly 
Among  the  winds,  looks  under  your  pale  eye- 
lids. 

DECTORA 

(To  the  sailors) 

Is  it  your  will  that  I,  who  am  a queen 
Among  the  queens,  and  chose  the  mightiest 
Of  the  twelve  kings  of  the  world  to  be  my 
king, 

Become  a stranger’s  leman  ; and  that  you, 
Who  might  have  flocks  and  herds  and  many 
thralls. 

Be  pullers  of  the  oar  until  you  die  ? 

36 


A SAILOR 


She  bids  us  follow  her. 

ANOTHER  SAILOR 

I have  grown  weary 

Of  following  Forgael’s  dream  from  wind  to 
wind. 

ANOTHER  SAILOR 

Give  me  a hundred  sheep. 

ANOTHER  SAILOR 

Give  me  a house 

Well  sheltered  from  the  winds,  and  fruitful 
fields. 

And  a strong  galley. 

DECTORA 

I give  you  all  as  much. 

37 


BOSTON  COLLEGE! 
CHESTNUT  HlUU 


.IBUAR? 

MASS. 


ANOTHER  SAILOR 


And  will  you  swear  never  to  be  avenged 
For  those  among  your  people  that  are  dead  ? 


DECTORA 

I swear  it,  though  I gladly  would  lie  down 
With  one  you  have  killed  and  die ; for  when  I 
left 

My  foster-mother’s  garden  in  the  south 
I ceased  to  be  a woman,  being  a queen. 


ANOTHER  SAILOR 

And  will  you  swear  it  by  the  sun  and  moon  ? 


I swear  it. 


DECTORA 


38 


ANOTHER  SAILOR 


Let  every  man  draw  out  his  sword. 
Gather  about  him,  that  the  gods  may  not  know 
The  hand  that  wounds  him,  because  the  gods 
are  his  friends. 

(Forgael  has  taken  the  harp  in  his  hands 
and  is  leaning  against  the  bulwark.  The 
sailors  draw  their  swords , and  come 
toward  him . Forgael  plays  slowly  and 
faintly.) 


a sailor 

A white  bird  beats  his  wings  upon  my  face. 

ANOTHER  SAILOR 

A white  bird  has  torn  me  with  his  silver  claws. 

ANOTHER  SAILOR 

I am  blind  and  deaf  because  of  the  white  wings. 


39 


ANOTHER  SAILOR 


I am  afraid  of  the  harp. 

ANOTHER  SAILOR 

O ! wings  on  wings  ! 

DECTORA 

He  has  thrown  a druid  dream  upon  the  air. 
Strike  quickly  ; it  will  fade  out  when  you  strike. 

A SAILOR 

I am  afraid  of  his  low-laughing  harp. 

(Forgael  changes  the  air.) 

DECTORA 

(. Looking  over  the  bulwark  in  a half  dream) 

I shall  be  home  now  in  a little  while, 

Hearing  the  harpers  play,  the  pine-wood  crackle, 
The  handmaids  laugh  and  whisper  in  the  door. 


40 


A SAILOR 


Who  said  we  had  a skin  of  yellow  ale  ? 

ANOTHER  SAILOR 

I said  the  ale  was  brown. 

ANOTHER  SAILOR 

( Who  has  gone  into  the  other  ship ) 

I have  found  the  ale, 
I had  thrown  it  down  behind  this  coil  of 
rope. 


ANOTHER  SAILOR 

Forgael  can  die  to-morrow.  Come  to  the 
ale. 

ANOTHER  SAILOR 

Come  to  the  ale ; for  he  can  die  to-morrow. 
{They  go  on  to  the  other  ship.) 

4i 


AIBRIC 


( Who  linger s>  looking  at  Dectora) 

She  will  say  something  in  a little  while, 

And  I shall  laugh  with  joy. 

A VOICE  ON  THE  OTHER  SHIP 

Come  hither,  Aibric, 
And  tell  me  a love-story  while  I drink. 

AIBRIC 

Ah,  well ! they  are  calling  me  — they  are  call- 
ing me. 

{He  goes  forward  and  into  the  other  ship.) 

FORGAEL 

H ow  little  and  reedy  a sound  awakes  a god 
To  cry  his  folding  cry  ! 

{He  changes  the  air  again  ; Dectora  leans 
against  the  bulwark  as  if  very  sleepy , and 
gradually  sinks  down  on  the  deck.) 


42 


DECTORA 


{As  if  in  sleep) 

No,  no,  be  silent, 

For  I am  certain  somebody  is  dead. 

FORGAEL 

She  has  begun  forgetting.  When  she  wakes, 
The  years  that  have  gone  over  her  from  the 
hour 

When  she  dreamt  first  of  love,  shall  flicker  out 
And  that  dream  only  shine  before  her  feet. 

I grew  as  old  as  Time,  and  she  grows  young 
As  the  ageless  birds  of  Aengus,  or  the  birds 
The  white  fool  makes  at  morning  out  of  foam; 
For  love  is  a-weaving  when  a woman's  heart 
Grows  young  and  a man’s  heart  grows  old  in  a 
twinkling. 

{He  changes  the  air.) 


43 


Her  eyelids  tremble  and  the  white  foam  fades ; 
The  stars  would  hurl  their  crowns  among  the 
foam 

Were  they  but  lifted  up. 

DECTORA 

(Slowly  waking) 

The  red  hound  is  fled. 
Why  did  you  say  that  I have  followed  him 
For  these  nine  years  ? O arrow  upon  arrow ! 
My  eyes  are  troubled  by  the  silver  arrows ; 
Ah,  they  have  pierced  his  heart ! 

( She  wakes,) 

I have  slept  long  ; 
I fought  twelve  battles  dressed  in  golden 
armour. 

I have  forgot  it  all.  How  soon  dreams  fade  ! 

I will  drink  out  of  the  stream.  The  stream  is 


gone : 


Before  I dropped  asleep,  a kingfisher 
Shook  the  pale  apple-blossom  over  it ; 
And  now  the  waves  are  crying  in  my  ears, 
And  a cold  wind  is  blowing  in  my  hair. 


FORGAEL 

( Going  over  to  her) 

A hound  that  had  lain  hid  in  the  red  rushes 
Breathed  out  a druid  vapour,  and  crumbled 
away 

The  grass  and  the  blue  shadow  on  the  stream 
And  the  pale  blossom ; but  I woke  instead 
The  winds  and  waters  to  be  your  home  for 
ever ; 

And  overturned  the  demon  with  a sound 
I had  woven  of  the  sleep  that  is  in  pools 


45 


Among  great  trees,  and  in  the  wings  of  owls, 
And  under  lovers’  eyelids. 

{He  kneels  and  holds  the  harp  toward  her.) 

Bend  your  head 

And  lean  your  lips  devoutly  to  this  harp. 

For  he  who  gave  it  called  it  Aengus’  harp 
And  said  it  was  mightier  than  the  sun  and 
moon. 

Or  than  the  shivering  casting-net  of  the  stars. 
{She  takes  the  harp  in  her  hands  and  kisses  it.) 


DECTORA 

O,  Aengus  of  the  herds,  watch  over  me ! 

I sat  beside  my  foster-mother,  and  now 
I am  caught  in  woven  nets  of  enchantment. 
Look ! 

I have  wet  this  braid  of  hair  with  tears  while 
asleep. 

46 


FORGAEL 


( Standing  upright  again) 

He  watches  over  none  but  faithful  lovers. 
Edaine  came  out  of  Midher’s  hill,  and  lay 
Beside  young  Aengus  in  his  tower  of  glass. 
Where  time  is  drowned  in  odour-laden  winds 
And  druid  moons,  and  murmuring  of  boughs. 
And  sleepy  boughs,  and  boughs  where  apples 
made 

Of  opal  and  ruby  and  pale  chrysolite 
Awake  unsleeping  fires ; and  wove  seven 
strings, 

Sweet  with  all  music,  out  of  his  long  hair, 
Because  her  hands  had  been  made  wild  by 
love ; 

When  Midher’s  wife  had  changed  her  to  a 
fly 

He  made  a harp  with  druid  apple  wood 


47 


That  she  among  her  winds  might  know  he 
wept ; 

And  from  that  hour  he  has  watched  over  none 
But  faithful  lovers. 


DECTORA 

( Half  rising) 

Something  glitters  there — - 
There  — there  — by  the  oar. 

FORGAEL 

The  crown  of  a far  country. 

DECTORA 

That  crown  was  in  my  dreams  — no,  no  — in 
a rhyme. 

I know  you  now,  beseeching  hands  and  eyes. 

I have  been  waiting  you.  A moment  since 
My  foster-mother  sang  in  an  old  rhyme 


48 


That  my  true-love  would  come  in  a ship  of 
pearl 

Under  a silken  sail  and  silver  yard, 

And  bring  me  where  the  children  of  Aengus 
wind 

In  happy  dances,  under  a windy  moon ; 

But  these  waste  waters  and  wind-beaten  sails 
Are  wiser  witchcraft,  for  our  peace  awakes 
In  one  another’s  arms. 

{He  has  taken  her  in  his  arms.) 


FORGAEL 

Aengus  has  seen 

His  well-beloved  through  a mortal’s  eyes ; 

And  she,  no  longer  blown  among  the  winds, 

Is  laughing  through  a mortal’s  eyes. 


4 


49 


DECTORA 


(Peering  out  over  the  waters) 

O look  ! 

A red-eared  hound  follows  a hornless  deer. 
There  ! There  ! They  have  gone  quickly,  for 
already 

The  cloudy  waters  and  the  glimmering  winds 
Have  covered  them. 

FORGAEL 

Where  did  they  vanish  away  ? 

DECTORA 

Where  the  moon  makes  a cloudy  light  in  the  mist. 

FORGAEL 

(Going  to  the  steering-oar) 

The  pale  hound  and  the  deer  wander  for  ever 
Among  the  winds  and  waters ; and  when  they 
pass 


50 


The  mountain  of  the  gods,  the  unappeasable 
gods 

Cover  their  faces  with  their  hair  and  weep. 

They  lure  us  to  the  streams  where  the  world 
ends. 

DECTORA 

All  dies  among  those  streams. 

FORGAEL 

The  fool  has  made 

These  messengers  to  lure  men  to  his  peace, 

Where  true-love  wanders  among  the  holy 
woods. 


DECTORA 

What  were  true-love  among  the  rush  of  his 
streams  ? 

The  gods  weave  nets,  and  take  us  in  their  nets, 


5i 


And  none  knows  wherefore ; but  the  heart’s 
desire 

Is  this  poor  body  that  reddens  and  grows  pale. 

(She  goes  toward  him.) 

FORGAEL 

The  fool,  who  has  made  the  wisdom  that  men 
write 

Upon  thin  boards  of  yew  and  apple  wood, 

And  all  the  wisdom  that  old  images, 

Made  of  dim  gold,  rave  out  in  secret  tombs, 

Has  told  me  that  the  undying  send  their 
eagles 

To  snatch  alive  out  of  the  streams  all  lovers 

That  have  gone  thither  to  look  for  the  loud 
streams. 

Folding  their  hearts’  desire  to  their  glad 
hearts. 


52 


DECTORA 


The  love  I know  is  hidden  in  these  hands 
That  I would  mix  with  yours,  and  in  this 
hair 

That  I would  shed  like  twilight  over  you. 

FORGAEL 

The  love  of  all  under  the  light  of  the  sun 
Is  but  brief  longing,  and  deceiving  hope, 

And  bodily  tenderness  ; but  love  is  made 
Imperishable  fire  under  the  boughs 
Of  chrysoberyl  and  beryl  and  chrysolite, 

And  chrysoprase  and  ruby  and  sardonyx. 

DECTORA 

Where  are  these  boughs  ? Where  are  the  holy 
woods 

That  can  change  love  to  imperishable  fire? 


53 


O ! I would  break  this  net  the  gods  have 
woven 

Of  voices  and  of  dreams.  O heart,  be  still ! 

O ! why  is  love  so  crazy  that  it  longs 
To  drown  in  its  own  image? 

FORGAEL 

Even  that  sleep 

That  comes  with  love,  comes  murmuring  of 
an  hour 

When  earth  and  heaven  have  been  folded  up ; 
And  languors  that  awake  in  mingling  hands 
And  mingling  hair  fall  from  the  fiery  boughs, 
To  lead  us  to  the  streams  where  the  world 
ends. 

(Aibric  and  some  of  the  sailors  come  from 
the  other  ship  over  the  bulwark  beyond 
the  sail , and  gather  in  the  dimness  beyond 
the  sail.) 


54 


A SAILOR 


They  are  always  quarrelling. 

AIBRIC 

Give  me  your  swords. 

A SAILOR 

Eocha  and  Maine  are  always  quarrelling. 

ANOTHER  SAILOR 

Ale  sets  them  quarrelling. 

AIBRIC 

Give  me  your  swords. 

A SAILOR 

We  will  not  quarrel,  now  that  all  is  well, 

And  we  go  home. 


55 


ANOTHER  SAILOR 


Come,  Aibric  ; end  your  tale 
Of  golden-armed  Iolan  and  the  queen 
That  lives  among  the  woods  of  the  dark 
hounds. 


ANOTHER  SAILOR 

And  tell  how  Mananan  sacked  Murias 
Under  the  wTaves,  and  took  a thousand  women 
When  the  dark  hounds  were  loosed. 

ANOTHER  SAILOR 

Come  to  the  ale. 
(They  go  into  the  other  ship.) 

D ECTOR A 

( Going  toward  the  sail) 

I have  begun  remembering  my  dreams. 

I have  commanded  men  in  dreams.  Beloved, 


We  will  go  call  these  sailors,  and  escape 

The  nets  the  gods  have  woven  and  our  own 
hearts, 

And,  hurrying  homeward,  fall  upon  some 
land 

And  rule  together  under  a canopy. 

FORGAEL 

All  that  know  love  among  the  winds  of  the 
world 

Have  found  it  like  the  froth  upon  the  ale. 

DECTORA 

We  will  find  out  valleys  and  woods  and 
meadows 

To  wander  in  ; you  have  loved  many  women, 

It  may  be,  and  have  grown  weary  of  love. 

But  I am  new  to  love. 


57 


FORGAEL 


Go  among  these 

That  have  known  love  among  the  winds  of 
the  world 

And  tell  its  story  over  their  brown  ale. 

DECTORA 

( Going  a little  nearer  to  the  sail) 

Love  was  not  made  for  darkness  and  the 
winds 

That  blow  when  heaven  and  earth  are 
withering, 

For  love  is  kind  and  happy.  O come  with 
me ! 

Look  on  this  body  and  this  heavy  hair ; 

A stream  has  told  me  they  are  beautiful. 

The  gods  hate  happiness,  and  weave  their  nets 

Out  of  their  hatred. 


58 


FORGAEL 


My  beloved,  farewell. 

Seek  Aibric  on  the  Lochlann  galley,  and  tell 
him 

That  Forgael  has  followed  the  grey  birds 
alone, 

And  bid  him  to  your  country. 

DECTORA 

I should  wander 

Hither  and  thither  and  say  at  the  high  noon 
How  many  hours  to  daybreak,  because  love 
Has  made  my  feet  unsteady,  and  blinded  me. 

FORGAEL 

I think  that  there  is  love  in  Aibric’s  eyes. 

I know  he  will  obey  you  ; and  if  your  eyes 
Should  look  upon  his  eyes  with  love,  in  the 
end 


59 


That  would  be  happiest.  He  is  a king 
Among  high  mountains,  and  the  mountain 
robbers 

Have  called  him  mighty. 


DECTORA 


Living  or  dying. 


I will  follow  you 


FORGAEL 

Bid  Aibric  to  your  country, 
Or  go  beside  him  to  his  mountain  wars. 


DECTORA 

I will  follow  you. 


FORGAEL 

I will  have  none  of  you. 
My  love  shakes  out  her  hair  upon  the  streams 


60 


Where  the  world  ends,  or  runs  from  wind  to 
wind 

And  eddy  to  eddy.  Masters  of  our  dreams, 
Why  have  you  cloven  me  with  a mortal  love? 
Pity  these  weeping  eyes  ! 

DECTORA 

( Going  over  to  him  and  taking  the  crown 
from  before  his  feet ) 

I will  follow  you. 
I have  cut  the  rope  that  bound  this  galley  to 
ours, 

And  while  she  fades  and  life  withers  away, 

I crown  you  with  this  crown. 

( She  kneels  beside  him  and  puts  her  arms 
about  him.) 

Bend  lower,  O king, 
O flower  of  the  branch,  O bird  among  the 
leaves, 


O silver  fish  that  my  two  hands  have  taken 
Out  of  a running  stream,  O morning  star 
Trembling  in  the  blue  heavens  like  a white 
fawn 

Upon  the  misty  border  of  the  wood, — 

Bend  lower,  that  I may  cover  you  with  my 
hair, 

For  we  will  gaze  upon  this  world  no  longer. 

( The  harp  begins  to  murmur  of  itself.) 

FORGAEL 

The  harp-strings  have  begun  to  cry  out  to  the 
eagles. 


62 


33587 


me; 


4 


iff  0 V: 


1 


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